I am looking to buy a used vericle and I have heard nothing but good things from Lexus owners. I have a budget of about 12k and there are two vehicles I am looking at closely the sc300 and gs300. For my price range most of the two models I am looking have about 100k miles on them and vary from years 1998-2000. Is there any problems these years or having that many miles? How reliable are these vehicles and is there anything they are notorious for? Is there a difference in the reliability from 1998 to 1999 or 2000? Is the gs300 less or more reliable than the sc300? I don't want the mechanical problems I had with my last vehicle, a cadillac catera kbb is 5k and I have about 3k in mechanical fees in the last year and am still dealing with some other issues.

 

The Catera I've heard is a notoriously unreliable car. You will be fine with either one and A LOT better off than the Catera. My 12-year-old SC runs like a brand new car. You'd think it was a 2007 or 2008. Parts can be pretty expensive, though but thankfully Toyota/Lexus cars rarely break down.

 

Since your asking in a sc300/sc400, im gonna have to go with the SC platform From my personal experience, my 400 treated me good from day one, well besides from the routine maintenance checkups, shes been trouble free. With 12k in hand, thats probably a hard decision to make BECAUSE, you have to factor in things like: 1. am i going to mod this car heavily? 2. DO i want a newer car, or a older gem to fix / build up? If you're looking to modify your SC4/SC, 12k will do justice, but 12k for a gs300, may just only get you the car.

Chris

 

Totally different cars. Do you want a sedan or a sport coupe?

 

I know that they are completely different vehicles but that really doesn't bother me. I want something with decent gas miledge and reliability. Is 94k miles just the beginning for these vehicles or do they develop problems around 100k? I know JD power has been rating the Lexus the car brand with the least problems for several years now (although it tied with Buick this year). Did the sc300 or gs300 recieve any awards from JD power from years 1998-2000? What are the differences between these years? Did they update the engine or electrics ect.

This vehicle will recieve very little mods. I would like to buy it with aftermarket rims and a stereo but if I buy one without those I will adventually add them. I'm in colledge and my parents will match whatever I put down for a new car. So I have about $5,000 but will continue to save up.

 

The question is do you want a 5MT (sc300) or a 5AT (gs300)? Oh, and of course 2 or 4 doors....

 

the sc300 only comes in manual? If that is the case then I'm going with the gs300. But the issue of 2 or 4 doors doesn't matter to me. If one is more reliable than the other then that will be my choice. Aren't the engines the same? Are there any differences?

 

No, the sc300 is available in manual, where as the gs300 is not. Both have the same motors. I believe 98+ cars have 5ATwhereas <98 is 4AT. If reliability is an issue, I would go for a later model, since they are built on the same chassis and share almost all mechanical parts, comparing between the two is like naming twins.

 

Well I'm definately not buying anything older than 1998 but did they change anything from 1998 to 2001? Any bugs they worked out?

 

both are great cars, first decide if you want a coupe or 4door.. you then have your answer

 

Don't forget about gas, fellow college student.

 

If you're not planning to mod a lot, buy the newer car in better condition and avoid a lot of headache.

 

Those were the years that they got updated. It might be hard to fine a clean one for 12k though. Reliablity is the same and gas is about the same. Good luck.
Jose

 

just get an 1998 sc300, you will NOT be disappointed PERIOD

 

as for a daily driver i would definitely get a GS300 over a SC300. not that the SC isnt' good. it's more of a performance type vehicle. the GS would be a lot more comfortable and spacious more benefitial in everyday use!!